Trench digger having rotary side delivery apparatus



y 24, 1955 a. L. WARNER EI'AL 2,708,798

TRENCH DIGGER HAVING ROTARY SIDE DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 8/72 gig/ye #1400072 y 24,1955 LQWARNER ETAL 2,708,798

TRENCH DIGGER HAVING ROTARY SIDE DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed Sept. 5, 1950 3 Shets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEK TRENCl-l BIGGER HAVING ROTARY SIDE DELIVERY APPARATUS Eugene L. Warner and George W. Dooley, Ottawa, Karts, assignors to Ottawa Warner Corporation, line.

Application September 5, 1950, Serial No. 183,199

3 Claims. (Cl. s7* -s6 This invention relates to earth handling equipment and more particularly to a machine for digging trenches, ditches and the like, the primary object being to provide a mobile excavator having a pair of intersecting earthmoving assemblies so arranged as to elevate the earth from the trench being dug and to project the same laterally alongside the trench and spaced a substantial distance therefrom as the implement moves or creeps forwardly during the trench digging operation.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a trench digger having a forwardly moving horizontal frame provided with an under-slung combination earth digging and dragging conveyor, together with an earth receiver at the forwardmost end of the frame that is in turn provided with novel rotating earth projecting means to convey the latter from the receiver laterally of the endless conveyor in a continuous pile alongside and spaced from the trench.

Another equally important aim hereof is'to provide a relatively compact, highly efiicient trench digging apparatus of the endless conveyor-type, wherein is provided 9 means cooperable with the endless conveyor itself to form a dirt ramp from the excavated earth at the discharge end of the endless conveyor for receiving the earth from the trench and directing or guiding the same into the lateral conveyor or continuously as the machine creeps forward whereby to eliminate the bulky, expensive and troublesome apparatuses heretofore utilized as earth-guiding means in conventional excavators.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a trench digger, an arcuate receiver of the platform-type disposed at the discharge end of the endless digger, and earthdragging means for receiving the excavated earth operable in combination with a rotatable vaned reel for projecting the loose dirt from the platform and laterally alongside the ground traversing mobile implement.

A further object of this invention is the provision in a trench digger of a novel combination digging, cutting and dragging or earth-moving assembly in the nature of an endless conveyor having a plurality of flight elements thereon so formed and arranged in staggered, angled relationship to effectively cut and dig the earth, to form the trench and to drag or otherwise convey the loose dirt upwardly and forwardly at an angle for ultimate discharge by the aforesaid lateral conveying means.

Other objects of the present invention include the provision or" a digger that is capable of digging trenches of varying depths while maintaining the entire assembly relatively small and compact so as to permit operation in relatively small, confined spaces; to provide a trench digger universally adaptable for small undertakings such as digging ditches for water and drainage pipes, as well as large scale operations where ditches extending over a considerable area must be dug in a minimum amount of time and with little expense; and to provide a digging machine that is highly maneuverable and so formed as to permit excavating beneath sidewalks, pavement and the like, adjacent the vertical walls beneath buildings and States Patent 2,708,798 Patented May 24, 1955 other troublesome conditions wherein conventional excavators are impractical because of size and expense of operation.

Many additional more minor objects, including novel details of construction, will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a trench digger having rotary side delivery apparatus made pursuant to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, cross-sectional view taken on line IIII of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view taken on line Ill-J11 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the lowermost flight of the endless conveyor forming a part of the trench digger shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of one of the digger elements shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of digger element.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the element of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of another modified form of digger element; and

Fig. 10 is an edge view of the element of Fig. 9.

As clearly illustrated by the fully assembled view of the trench digger hereof in Figure l of the drawings, there is provided an elongated, horizontal frame broadly designated by the numeral iii and including a pair of spaced-apart, interconnected, parallel beams 12 and 14 (Figs. 2 and 3).

Frame 15 and all of its supported elements are in turn supported and rendered mobile by a pair of wheel and axle assemblies, each in turn being broadly designated by the numerals l6 and 1's respectively. The front wheel and axle assembly 13 is joined in any conventional manner with the main frame lil through the medium of an auxiliary frame 2% formed substantially as shown in Fig. l or" the drawings. Likewise, the manner of connecting the wheel and axle assemsly 16 to the frame 10, forms no part of this invention and has not been illustrated in detail. It is noteworthy however, that such connection is so formed as to permit free swinging movement of an endless conveyor broadly designated by the numeral 22 in a manner hereinafter to be made clear, since as illustrat d, conveyor 22 underlies the frame 10 and extends resrwardly from its point of mounting between the wheels of assembly 16 and beyond the rearmost end or" frame iii. I

The conveyor 22 includes an elongated frame-24 havin g a of parallel shafts 26 and 28 rotatably secured thereto, there being a shaft at each end respectively of frame 2- The shafts 26 and 28 are provided with sprocket wheels 30 and 32. respectively, rigidly secured thereto intermediate the ends over which is trained an intermeshing endless chain 34.

Chain 34 is provided with a plurality of fiight elements 35 throughout the length thereof formed as most clearly shown in 5 and 6. The flight elements 36 are substantially U-shaped and have their bights 37 secured directly to corresponding link of the chain 34 and in staggered relationship. In addition to being staggered as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the bights 37 of elements 36 are of varying lengths and accordingly, alternately short and long elements 36 are arranged along chain 34. The opposed legs 39 of each element 36 ex= tend outwardly from the chain 34 and are angled inwardly away from the direction of travel of the chain 34 indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4.

Referring therefore, to the lower flight of chain 34 in Fig. 5, the legs 39 of the elements 36 converge toward each other as the rearmost shaft 26 of conveyor 22 is approached. Likewise, the legs 39 of the elements 36 diverge outwardly as the outermost free ends thereof are approached; and, as illustrated in Fig. 5 particularly, the legs 39 are each beveled on the innermost leading margin to present a keen cutting edge 41. Also, each edge 41 is preferably angled forwardly as the lowermost end thereof is approached as shown in Fig. 5. The ends 43 of legs 39 angle upwardly from edge 41 toward the rearmost edge 45 opposite to cutting edge 4.1 which may also be angled.

The elements 38 each comprise a single angularly dis placed blade extending outwardly from the chain 34, each of which is also angularly displaced with respect to the direction of travel of the chain 34. A plurality of the cutting elements 38 are disposed throughout the length of the chain 34 and alternately angled in opposite directions. In all cases, the leading edge of the blades 38 is sharpened into a cutting edge in the same manner as legs 39.

The conveyor 22 is mounted at the forwardniost end thereof upon the frame through the medium of an arm 40, depending from each beam 12 and 14 respectively that in turn rotatably receive the shaft 28 in the manner illustrated by Fig. 2.

The frame 24 of conveyor 22 is swingably secured to the shaft 28 for movement to and from the full-line position illustrated in Fig. 4 and accordingly, toward and away from the horizontal frame It The extent of swinging movement of the conveyor 22 and therefore, the engularity thereof during use, which angularity determines the depth of the trench being dug, is controlled by means of an extensible mechanism 44. The particular nature of the mechanism 44 is of no significance to the present invention, but as illustrated, the same comprises an elongated, upright tube 46 that is swingably secured at the lowermost end thereof to a pair of spaced-apart, upstanding brackets 48 on the frame 10, by means of a pair of diametrically opposed, outwardly extending pintles St).

A rod 52 bifurcated at its lowermost end, is reciprocated within the tube 46 in any suitable manner such as by means of an electric motor or other prime mover 54 carried by the tube 46.

A closed frame 56, joined to the frame 24 of conveyor 22 rearwardly of the shaft 28, is provided with an upstanding lug 58 pivotally joined to the lowermost end of the rod 52.

The auxiliary frame 29, as in the case of frame 10, is composed of a pair of spaced-apart beams 63 that project forwardly in horizontal portions as illustrated in Fig. 1,

beyond the proximal end of conveyor 22 that are spaced below and in parallelism with the beams 12 and 14. Such horizontal portions of the beams 60 support a transverse, arcuate, elongated platform 62 that is entirely below a horizontal plane through the shaft 28. The longitudinal, arcuate axis of the platform 62 is, therefore, in intersecting relationship to the direction of travel of the implement and within the path of travel of dirt emanating from conveyor 22. The innermost longitudinal edge of the platform 62 preferably underlies the flight elements 36 and 38 as the same pass around the sprocket Wheel 32 as shown in Fig. 4.

The frame 10 supports an elongated tube 64 near the forwardmost end thereof and in a vertical plane midway between beams 12 and 14-, but above frame 10 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The tube 64 rotatably mounts a coaxial shaft 66 having a circular, upright plate 68 rigid to the outermost end thereof and forming a part of a reel-type, lateral conveyor that is in turn broadly designated by the numeral 70. The innermost face of the plate 68 is provided with a plurality of radial ribs 72 and an elongated, flat vane 74 at the outermost end of each rib 72 extends inwardly from the plate 68 in perpendicular relationship thereto.

The vanes 74 are all radially arranged and are joined at that end thereof opposite to the plate 68 through the medium of an annular band 76. It is noted that the entire reel including the vanes 74 thereof, and the annulus 76, is disposed directly above the arcuate platform 62 with the vanes 74 and the ring 76 circumscribing the forwardmost ends of the beam 12 and 14.

A pair of upstanding arms 7 8, support an arcuate fender 30 overlying the entire reel 70. Each beam 12 and 14 has vertical guideways 82 secured to the innermost face thereof between the shaft 28 and the reel 70 for slidably receiving an elongated, upstanding plate 84, that is in turn provided at its lowermost end with an integral, rearwardly extending guide plate portion 86. During non-use, the plates 84 and 86 are held in an elevated position by the frame 10 through the medium of pins 83 passing through the plates 84 and overlying the corresponding guideways 82 or by analogous holding means.

All of the component parts of the machine above set forth, are motivated through the medium of an internal combustion engine or other prime mover 90 carried by the frame 10 near the rearwardmost end thereof. Suitable differential mechanism of conventional character, operably couples the engine 90 with each of the rear wheels of assembly 16 respectively by means of endless chains 92.

A train of gears within a housing 94, joins with the engine 90 and such gears are in turn coupled with the conveyors 22 and 70. The shaft 23 is provided with a sprocket 96 over which is trained an endless chain 93 that passes over a second sprocket 100, operably connected with the gears in housing 94. Likewise, that end of the shaft 66 opposite to reel 70, is provided with a sprocket 102 operably connected with a second sprocket 104 by means of an endless chain 106. The sprocket 194 is operably connected with the train of gears in the housing 94.

Suitable controls are obviously provided for the engine 90 for the steering of the implement as the same moves forwardly or in reverse for controlling the rotation of shaft 28 in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 4 and for controlling the speed, as well as the direction of rotation, of reel 70. Obviously, several speeds forward, as well as in reverse, are provided so that the implement may be moved from place to place at a relatively high speed if desired, or be caused to creep forwardly during operation at a slow pace.

A chain 108 or equivalent means, is provided to support the conveyor 22 by the frame 10 at the rearmost end thereof when the machine is under transport and not in operation.

In operation, the conveyor 22 is lowered from the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 1 and by full lines in Fig. 4 by means of energization of prime mover 54. As the rod 52 is extended downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Pig. 4, the mechanism 44 swings on pivot 5i and the conveyor 22 assumes the dottedline position shown by Fig. 4 of the drawings. Obviously, the depth of the trench being dug is dependent entirely upon the distance that conveyor 22 is lowered and the limits are determined by the length of the conveyor 22 as well as by the angularity at which best results will occur.

At the outset of the trench digging operation, no forward movement of the implement takes place, and the conveyor 22 is lowered gradually until the desired depth is attained. As the conveyor 22 is operated, the flight elements 36 and 38 not only dig and cut the dirt loose, but form the trench and drag or convey the loose dirt upwardly at an angle toward the forwardmost end of the implement. Simultaneously, with rotation of the shafts 26 and 28 to motivate chain 34, the reel 70 is caused to rotate in the direction desired and at a speed which will project the dirt a sufiicient distance away from the trench being dug. As soon as the loose dirt is moved upwardly at an angle to a point above the level of the ground as indicated by the numeral 110, a ramp of loose dirt 112 will be formed immediately below the conveyor 22 and particularly below the shaft 28 thereof as shown in Fig. 4. As the pile of dirt 112 forms, the same will gradually reach a height where the loose dirt will be moved by the conveyor 22 upon the platform 62.

The width of the ramp 112 is controlled by the guides 86 when the same are caused to drop to the level of the ground 110 by removal of pins 88. As the implement is caused to creep forwardly, this ramp of dirt 112 will be continuously cut away by the conveyor 22 and re-forrned to always present a supporting surface to direct the loose dirt from the trench through the annulus 76 and upon the arcuate platform 62. At the same time, as the reel 70 rotates, the plurality of circumferentially arranged vanes 74 thereof, will sweep across the platform 62 longitudinally of the latter and maintain the platform clean of the loose dirt. Such dirt will be projected laterally to a substantial distance away from the conveyor 22 and away from the entire implement alongside, but spaced away from the trench being dug. Obviously, the speed of rotation of the reel 70 will determine the distance at which the dirt is projected and by reversing the direction of rotation thereof, dirt may be piled at either side of the trench as desired. It is particularly desirous that such dirt form a sufiicient distance away from the trench so as not to tend to fall back into the trench and so as to not be passed over by the rear wheels of assembly 16.

It is now also seen that the implement is highly maneuverable and can be used in relatively small confined spaces. For instance, the operator need merely back the implement to a point where the rearmost end of conveyor 22 is adjacent a building or the like, drop the conveyor 22 and commence digging the trench while slowly backing the machine so as to present a vertical end wall at the beginning of the ditch. Furthermore, the implement might well be reversed to gradually and progressively project the conveyor 22 beneath the building or a sidewalk, pavement or the like, and thereby excavate beneath such obstructions.

In Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown an alternate, combination cutting, forming and dragging element 150 that is U-shaped, presenting an elongated bight 152 and a pair of depending legs 154. Again, the lengths of the bights 152 will vary throughout the length of chain 34 and elements 150 of diifering sizes will be alternately disposed. Bight 152 is polygonal in cross-section and secured to chain 34 by means of a pair of opposed, L-shaped, identical brackets 156. One leg of each bracket cooperates with a corresponding U-shaped clamp 158 in completely circumscribing bight 152. The dotted lines in Fig. 7 indicate the way in which the elements 150 may be additionally staggered by loosening of clamps 158. Legs 154 are provided with a widened head 160 on the free end thereof having a sharpened edge 162 and both legs 154 are angles or arched forwardly as shown in Fig. 8.

In Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown a chain element 200 adapted for mounting on each end respectively of a bar (not shown) similar to bight 152 but devoid of legs 154. Element 200 has a hub 202 provided with a polygonal bore 204 for slidably receiving the supporting bar. A transverse hole 206 intersecting bore 204 is adapted to receive a locking pin (not shown) passing through the bar to hold element 200 in place. A number of flat teeth 208 radiate from hub 206 and are each provided with a cutting edge 210 on the outer free end thereof. It is to be noted in Fig. that the parallel, longitudinal edges of teeth 208 are at an angle to the transverse axis 6 of hub 202 and bore 204 and project away from the proximal end of the supporting bar for element 200, presenting outermost trench shaving and forming surfaces.

Elements 200 are preferably made from an extremely hard or hardened metal or other material, and it is seen that the same can be rotated from time to time on the supporting bar therefor as the teeth 208 subject to the most wear become dull.

Many other advantages and uses will emanate from a trench digger of the aforementioned character and obviously, such uses and advantages are contemplated hereby.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a trench digger, a mobile frame; an elongated, endless conveyor having flight elements thereon for digging and dragging earth; a transverse shaft at the forwardmost end of the frame and the conveyor, swingably securing the conveyor to the frame; mechanism interconnecting the conveyor and the frame for swinging the conveyor to selected inclined positions extending downwardly and rearwardly from said shaft, said shaft being spaced above the ground over which the digger is advanced, whereby a ramp is formed upon said ground beneath the shaft and said forwardmost end of the conveyor, made of dirt dug and dragged by the conveyor to said forwardmost end thereof as the digger is advanced; a pair of spaced guide plates on the frame beneath the shaft, normally disposed between the conveyor and the ground for receiving said dirt therebetween and confining the ramp to a predetermined width; a platform carried by the frame, spaced above the ground, forwardly of the conveyor for receiving dirt dug by the conveyor and dragged thereby upwardly and forwardly over said ramp to a position deposited upon the platform; and a reel rotatably mounted on the frame forwardly of the conveyor and the shaft above the platform for hurling the dirt from the platform, laterally alongside the path of travel of the digger.

2. In a trench digger as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide plates are mounted on the frame for free, vertical reciprocation relative thereto, whereby said guide plates are gravitationally biased against the ground and are free to follow contours of the latter as the digger is advanced.

3. In a trench digger as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reel comprises a rotatable, circular plate disposed in a substantially vertical plane transverse to said frame, a plurality of radial ribs on the rearmost face of said circular plate, an elongated flat vane on the outermost extremity of each rib respectively, and an annular band spaced from said circular plate and interconnecting said vanes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,073,227 Funk Sept. 16, 1913 1,095,097 Fournet Apr. 28, 1914 1,108,268 Stahl Aug. 25, 1914 1,346,433 Varland July 13, 1920 1,520,735 Webb Dec. 30, 1924 1,767,017 Scheckler June 24, 1930 1,767,417 Weber June 24, 1930 1,850,363 Vaughn Mar. 22, 1932 1,886,382 Dunlap Nov. 8, 1932 1,912,743 Vaughn June 6, 1933 2,231,983 Zuckerman Feb. 18, 1941 2,369,293 Gotzliner Feb. 13, 1945 2,381,017 Wandscheer Aug. 7, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 570,756 Great Britain July 20, 1945 

